The most anti-climactic news in Rhode Island is that Cole Swider remains the top prospect in the state.

The 6-foot-8 forward is coming off a big EYBL season with BABC in which he committed to Villanova despite earning an offer from Duke. He’s an elite shooter of the basketball but has also improved his athleticism and versatility. In short, he’s the runaway pick for #1 and it isn’t close.

The race begins at #2 where Bishop Hendricken wing Tyrone Weeks not only defended his spot, but more importantly solidified himself as a scholarship caliber player this summer with Metro Boston. His length and elastic frame give him a very clear physical upside as he continues to fill out his frame, but he’s also proven himself an active defender and high level slasher.

Weeks is really just the tip of the iceberg though when it comes to other potential scholarship prospects in the state as there are a handful of others who have a legitimate chance at playing their way onto that level with strong...

With updated 2018 rankings scheduled to begin rolling out tomorrow, we thought it would be approrpriate to remind our readers of some of our philosophies and standards with regards to player rankings.

First and foremost, rankings are subjective and ultimately only just an opinion. However, for any analysis or opinion piece to be at all credible, be it rankings or anything else, it has to be unbiased and from an informed and qualified source. Additionally, it should also clearly identify the criteria which it is assessing.

At NERR, we base our criteria off the same national standards which ESPN has publically stated. The first criteria is to identify any players which may have the potential to play at the highest levels beyond college or, in other words, have potential NBA upside. That may only apply to a select few each year, but when it does, it puts them at the top of the list. Second, is the prospect's projected level of play and subsequent impact at the college level. Finally,...

Newton North High School and Mass Elite guard Chris Matthews made a verbal commitment to Pace University on Monday, accepting a full four-year scholarship offer from the Westchester County (NY) division II school.

The 6-foot-2 guard was a consistent standout for Mass Elite this summer and ultimately earned his choice of three full scholarship offers at the division II level, along with increasing interest from a variety of other D2 schools.

His summer began at the Elite 75 College Showcase in late June when he was followed by numerous coaches, including Pace head coach Matt Healing. Next up was the All-Academic Camp where Matthews continued to impress and build his list of suitors before two more weeks of action with Mass Elite.

"Chris worked tirelessly all summer to show his worth to college coaches and his hard work paid off with offers...

Daley is a big combo-guard standing at 6-feet 3-inches tall who is equally comfortable playing on or off the ball. He approaches the game like a true point guard though by playing a pass first style. He's also a good athlete, hard driver, and capable shooter with room and rhythm on the perimeter.

Daley was named honorable mention All-New England this past season for Salisbury and played an important role for the Magic this spring and summer as they took...

The Canadian native is a mountain of a man who is typically listed at 7-feet tall and has dramatically improved his conditioning within the last year since arriving at MacDuffie. This spring he played consistent minutes on a BABC team that extended their natinoal record for consecutive appearances at the Nike Peach Jam.

Christie is a true big man who brings the type of size that will be nearly unmatched in the America East Conference along with good footwork and soft hands. He becomes the second player to commit to Seawolves head coach Jeff Boals in the class of 2018, joining Paul VI (VA) & Team Takeover three-point shooter Miles Latimer.

The school season is almost upon us and, as always, there will be plenty of roster movement within New England. Zack Sandberg and Luc Smith have been minitoring those movements from several months now and assembling a Prep Transfer List in the process.

MacDuffie School and Expressions Elite forward Dana Tate announced his commitment to the University of Rhode Island Saturday during a ceremony at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.

Rhode Island is coming off their best season in recent memory in which they won the Atlantic 10 championship, advanced to the NCAA tournament, and won their opening round game against Creighton before narrowly falling to top seeded Oregon.

In Tate, the Rams are landing a versatile forward with a college ready body and proven work ethic. While he may have the natural build of an interior player, Tate's perimeter game has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years and his development is a credit to long hours spent in the gym.

He is perhaps most dangerous with his ability to get downhill with the ball in his hands but he's also evolved into a good shooter off the dribble while continuing to become more consistent from behind the three-point line.

The Elite 75 Academic Experience, which takes place each March in Massachusetts, is adding a sister event this year in October.

The inaugural Elite 75 Academic Experience New York will take place on Sunday, October 1st at the Brewster Sports Center and include all of the same features that has made it such a one-of-a-kind event in New England.

First and foremost, this won't be just another showcase that overpromises but under-delivers exposure. Instead, exposure can be guaranteed because the event coaching staff will consistent entirely of college coaches from top academic institutions. In other words, players will have the opportunity to interact with, and be instructed by, the very coaches who they are hoping to impress.

Second, there will be no sitting at this event. Players will either be in action on the floor or they will be engaged in one of several workshops off the floor covering topics ranging from SAT prep to financial aid to admission standards for various academic...

Andover, MA – The Scott Hazelton Basketball Camp wrapped up on Thursday after another year of hosting top players, both past and present, from the greater Merrimack Valley area and beyond.

The list of alums that came back to play with the current high school stars this year included the likes of Jalen Adams, Wenyen Gabriel, Kaleb Joseph, and Makai Ashton-Langford among a host of others.

That created a unique opportunity to watch some teacher vs. pupil type of moments. For example, Akok Akok has been consistently compared to Gabriel over the course of the last year, but on Wednesday, we got to watch them go head to head. The verdict? The young fella is talented but he still has a ways to go before he catches up with the Kentucky forward.

Duke, who starred for the Rivals this summer, got to go head-to-head with his three-predecessors in Joseph (Creighton), Adams (UConn), and Ashton-Langford (Providence). While Duke isn’t quite on that same level just yet, there were moments were you...

Fairfield Prep alum and incoming Suffield Academy post-graduate Patrick Harding made a verbal commitment to Bryant University on Thursday night.

Harding held a few D1 offers at the end of his senior season but was able to take his game, and consequently his recruitment, to new levels this spring and summer.

The 6-foot-8 big man has always been well known for his skill level - most notably his natural touch, soft hands, and passing ability - but in recent months he's become more assertive and aggressive, started to change his body, and also assert himself as an increasingly effective defensive rebounder.

"Patrick is one of the most skilled big men to ever come through the Middlesex Magic program," said program director and head coach Michael Crotty Jr. "He can score over either shoulder with his back to the basket, has great face-up ability, and can put the ball on the floor. One of his best skills is his ability to pass and make plays for others. He should have the ability to make...